“According to EIA monthly supply data through December 2014, which EIA released in late February, U.S. exports of fuel ethanol in 2014 reached their second-highest level at a total of 826 million gallons. This level was second only to the 1.2 billion gallons exported during 2011 and 33% more than exports of fuel ethanol in… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Energy
Data.gov – Ecosystem Vulnerability Theme Adds Five New Datasets
Via Data.gov – “In a continued effort to provide key datasets that support the process of developing resilience to climate change, five additional datasets are now available in the Ecosystem Vulnerability theme. Those include: California Ocean Uses Atlas Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Threatened and Endangered Species REST Services US Forest Service Forests To Faucets National Wildlife… Continue Reading
Interior Dept Releases Final Rule to Support Safe, Responsible Hydraulic Fracturing Activities on Public and Tribal Lands
News release: “Following a robust and transparent public process that included more than 1.5 million public comments, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today released final standards [view the final rule, click here] that will support safe and responsible hydraulic fracturing on public and American Indian lands. The commonsense standards will improve safety and help… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – DOE Facilities, Financial Company Bankruptcies, Geospatial Data, IRS Info Security, Military Personnel
DOE Facilities: Better Prioritization and Life Cycle Cost Analysis Would Improve Disposition Planning, GAO-15-272: Published: Mar 19, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 19, 2015. Financial Company Bankruptcies: Information on Legislative Proposals and International Coordination, GAO-15-299: Published: Mar 19, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 19, 2015. Geospatial Data: Progress Needed on Identifying Expenditures, Building and Utilizing a Data… Continue Reading
Greatest Threat to the Power Grid: Our Own Government
“Today, the Institute for Energy Research released a new study titled Assessing Emerging Policy Threats to the U.S. Power Grid as a continuation of the Story of Electricity initiative. The report finds that the greatest threats to our power grid are not physical or cyber attacks, but rather existing and upcoming Federal and State policies including subsidies, mandates,… Continue Reading
Total energy subsidies decline since 2010, with changes in support across fuel types
“EIA has updated a report on federal subsidies to the energy industry, covering the 2013 fiscal year (FY). The most recent prior report reviewed subsidies in FY 2010, at or near the height of spending related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (more commonly known as the Recovery Act). Between FY 2010… Continue Reading
Stormy Seas, Rising Risks: What Investors Should Know About Climate Change Impacts at Oil Refineries
Union of Concerned Scientists – “When we think about fossil fuel companies in connection with climate change, we’re likely to focus on the role of their products in generating carbon emissions. But these companies are also, like everyone else, subject to the impacts of climate change. Oil refineries, in particular, are highly vulnerable to climate… Continue Reading
Economic Census Reveals Sharp Growth in Value of Shipments for Oil and Gas Extraction Industry
“The U.S. Census Bureau released figures today from the Economic Census showing that the value of shipments for the nation’s crude petroleum and natural gas extraction (NAICS 211111) industry climbed 28.9 percent between 2007 and 2012, despite only an 8.5 percent increase in the number of establishments over the same period. Value of shipments rose… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Defense Science and Technology, Drug Shortages, Government Efficiency and Effectiveness, Healthcare.gov, Indian Irrigation Projects, Motor Carrier Safety, Whistleblower Protection
Defense Science and Technology: Further DOD and DOE Actions Needed to Provide Timely Conference Decisions and Analyze Risks from Changes in Participation, GAO-15-278: Published: Mar 4, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 4, 2015. Drug Shortages: Better Management of the Quota Process for Controlled Substances Needed; Coordination between DEA and FDA Should Be Improved, GAO-15-202: Published: Feb… Continue Reading
EPA Approves New Climate-Friendly Refrigerants
“As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing the options for refrigerants used in various kinds of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in the United States that offer better climate protection without harming the ozone layer. This final action addresses refrigerants under the Climate Action Plan that… Continue Reading
Climate Change Adaptation by Federal Agencies: An Analysis of Plans and Issues for Congress
Climate Change Adaptation by Federal Agencies: An Analysis of Plans and Issues for Congress. Jane A. Leggett, Coordinator, Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy. February 23, 2015. “This report reviews current actions (as of January 2015) of selected federal departments and agencies to adapt their own missions, infrastructure, operations, and personnel to projected climate change.… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – African Growth and Opportunity Act, DOE Real Property, Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request, Foster Care, IRS Investment
African Growth and Opportunity Act: Lessons Learned from Other Countries’ Trade Arrangements with Sub-Saharan Africa, GAO-15-393R: Published: Feb 25, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2015. DOE Real Property: Better Data and a More Proactive Approach Needed to Facilitate Property Disposal, GAO-15-305: Published: Feb 25, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2015. Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request:… Continue Reading
